Apparatus for drying or otherwise treating manufactured products



May 26, 1925.

T. ALLSOP ET AL APPARATUS FOR DRYlNG OR OTHERWISE TREATING MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS Original Filed Nov. 17, 1919 W/TNESSES:

Patented May 26., 1925.

VUNITED STATES A 1,539,806 PATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS ALLSOPYAND WALTER W. SIBSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, AS-

SIGNORS T0 THE PHILADELPHIA DRYING MACHINERY COMPANY, d"JOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

,or GERMAN- APPARATUS :FOR` DRYING OR OTHERWISE TREATING MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS.

Application filed November 17, 1919, Serial No. 338,596. Renewed September 12, 1924,

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, THOMAS ALLsor and WALTER WV. SnssoN, citiaens of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, 1n the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus for Drying or Otherwise Treating Manufactured Products, whereof the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompany# ing drawings.

Our invention relates to apparatus'for drying and other treatments, and especially apparatus adapted for treating such prod ucts as china, pottery, or Crockery wares. However, the invention is not limited to ceramics,vbut may be extended to other fields. It is concerned with various phases of such operations, including the mode and conditions of application of the treating medium to the articles or products to be treated, and also the presentation of the articles to the medium. IVe aim to provide forcontrolling and limiting the sphere of action of the treating medium, without interfering with the introduction `and withdrawal of the material to be treated; to provide for effective circulation and action of the treating medium; and to provide for carrying on a plurality of treatments concurrently but separately. Also, the currents of air employed may be modified by heat, cold, moisture, or otherwise, according to the nature of the treatment desired. The air may be set in motion either mechanically or otherwise. The material to be treated may be slowly carried through the treating Zone or zones by a conveyor.

The embodiment of our invention here illustrated and described comprises a very simple structure affording a main chamber, which may be subdivided into a plurality of separate treating compartments, with provisions for a general circulation of the air laterally, and for separate or independent circulations for the various compartments.

In the drawings, Fig. I shows a longitudinal section (more or less diagrammatic) through an apparatus embodying our invention in one form.

Fig. II shows a cross section through the apparatus, taken as indicated by the line II-II in Fig. I.

Fig. III is a view similar to Fig. I illustrating a-different form of embodiment of the invention; and

Fig. IV is a corresponding cross section.

The apparatus Shown in Figs. I and II comprises an enclosure 1 with partitioning subdividing it to afford a main treating chamber and various auxiliary spaces or subdivisions. As it appears in Fig. I, the partitioning for this purpose forms a U of greatly exaggerated width, with side members 15, 16 and transverse connective member or diaphragm 4 spaced from the corresponding enclosure walls, and with its ends also spaced from a corresponding wall. The sides-15, 16 of the U tend to exclude the action or circulation of the atmosphere in the chamber 5 from the spaces 17, 18 between them and the adjacent (end) walls, thus assuring the neutrality of these spaces. The

main chamber 5 is shown as subdivided by a central transverse partition 9 into compartments 10 and 11, which may conveniently be distinguished as a conditioning chamber and a drying chamber, respectively. The partition 9 extends clear to theI top or roof of the enclosure 1, but terminates above the treatingr chamber bottom 4.

As shown in Fig. II, however, the partition members 15, 16, 4 and 10 do not extend all the way across the enclosure 1, but stop short (as here shown) of both the front and therear walls of the enclosure,-as they may be termed with reference to Fig. I,- and are supplemented with partition walls 2, 3 spaced from thevlatter. Thus auxiliary space coextensive with it is afforded at either side of the treating chamber 10 proper, as indicated at 6, 7. A sprocket chain conveyor 19 carries the articles to be treated through the chamber 5, in a circuitous course determined by sprockets conventionally represented at 22. For supporting the articles, it has carriers such as represented at 23, pivotally suspended between the conveyor chains.

The conditioning compartment 10'is provided with humidifying devices 12, and both of the compartments 10, 11 preferably have heating coils 13. In practice, the coils 13 in the two compartments 10, 11 are individually controllable, so that different degrecs of temperature may be maintained in them.

For purposes of circulation, the partition 4 may have an aperture into the space or channel 8 therebcneath for each treating compartment, so that suehcompartment lnay communicate with the lateral auxiliary space atv6, 7 at both top and bottom. The air may be propelled and circulated by means of rotary fans 25, 26 centrally mounted in such openings, as shown in Figs. I and II. They may be driven through bevel gearing 27, 28 from shafts 29, 30 extending to the exterior of the enclosure 1 and provided with driving pulleys such as 31 (Fig. II). These fans 25, 26 need not necessarily be driven in the same direction, so as to circulate the air either upward or downward in both the. compartments 10, 11; on the contrary, they may be driven in opposite directions (if of like pitch), so as to move, the air upward in one compartment and downward in the other, asindicated by the arrows in Fig. I. In other words, the air circulations in the compartments 10, 11 are practically independent, as well as their provisions for heating.

As shown in Fig. II, the air is drawn downward in the lchamber 10 by the fan 25, and into the space 8, where it divides and turns outward into the lateral spaces 6 and 7. Ascending in thesel spaces 6, v7, the air turns inward over the upper edges of the partitions 2, 3 into the treating chamber 5, to be again drawn downward by the fan 25, etc., as before. The division of the air circulation, with return flow at both sides of the chamber 5, gives a more uniform, thorough distribution and dissipation in the chamber. For purposes of air circulation, the space 8 forms with each of the spaces 6, 7 a return course or channel beneath and beside the chamber 5. If desired, an opening 32 (Fig. I) may be provided through the enclosure side wall (as it may be termed with reference to Fig. II) into each return course, to permit the continuous admission of a certain amount of fresh air into the system.

lVith a lateral general circulation of the air such as described, the partitions 15, 16 have less to do in excluding it from the spaces 17, 18 (and the openings into the latter to be presently described) than if the circulation were longitudinal, .for instance.

As shown in Fig. I, the conveyor 19 takes a sinuous or looping course lengthwise through the chamber 5, doubling around the ends of the partitions 15, 16 and 9, between them and the adjacent walls, and reversing several times in front of each of the fans 26, 27. Thus the material to be treated is not only progressed through the chamber 5 in a series of up and down passes, but is repeatedly exposed to the action of the air from every side. The conveyor 19 `is diverted to pass through the neutral end spaces 17, 18 (whence air circulation is practically'exc-luded as -already described), so as to be accessible for loading and unloading through openings 20, 21 inthe enclosure walls. After the carriers have received their charges of material to be treated at the opening 20, the conveyor 19'f`1rst traverses the conditioning chamber 10, where the articles are subjected to the humiditied air currents, and then the chan'iber l1, where drying is eti'ected. After unloading at the opening 21, the conveyor 19 (as here shown) descends further in the space or channel 18, and returns to the channel 17 and the loading opening 20.through the spa-ce or channel 8; in other words, the conveyor passes through the interior of and around the opentopped box-like partitioning structure 15, 16, 4. I

While only two treating chambers are shown in Fig. I, it will be seen that on the principle illustrated their number can be multiplied indefinitely, and that the air can be circulated oppositely in them alternately, as indicated in Fig. I. Figs. III and IV illustrate air circulatory provisions somewhat ditferent from those shown in Figs. I and II, with omission of the septum for dividing the treating chamber. However, this chamber 37, is formed -by partitioning 41, 42, 35, 36 corresponding to the partitions 15,

16, 2, 3 in Figs. I and II, and with auxiliary spaces 43, 44, 40, 38, 39, corresponding to to those marked 17, 18, 8, 6, 7 in Figs. I and II. As shown, the a erture between the chamber 37 and the su jacent space 40 extends practically over the whole bottom of said chamber, and the diaphragm and fans i of Figs. I and II are replaced by a horizontal bank of heating pipes 46 in said bottom opening. Not only do these pipes 46 serve the purpose of a septum or dividiner diaphragm between chamber 87 and subjacent space 37, but the heat -from them automati-` cally sets upa circulation of air corresponding in direction to that rfor the compartment 11 in Fig. I, as indicated by the arrows in Fig. IV.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with auxiliary space beside said chamber; means for circulating air between chamber and auxiliary space, and means for progressin material to be treated through said cham r in a series of up and down passes.

2. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to affordl a treating chamber with spaces beneath it and between its ends and corresponding en. closure walls, and also space beside said chamber; means for circulating air between the chamber and the space beside it; and

means for conveying material to be treated through said chamber also passing through said end spaces.

Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with spaces beneath it and between its ends and corresponding enclosure Walls, and auxiliary space beside said chamber; means for circulating air between chamber and auxiliary space, and for heating the air so circulated; and means for conveying material to be treated through said chamber also passing through said end spaces and the space beneath the chamber.

4l. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford al treating chamber with spaces beneath it. and between its ends and corresponding enclosure walls, and also space beside the chamber communicating therewith at top and bottom; means for circulating air vertically through said chamber and said space beside it; and means for conveying material to be treated through said chamber also passing through said end spaces and the space beneath the chamber.

5. Apparatus of the character described comprising` an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with apertured bottom, and a channel beneath and beside said chamber also communicating with its upper portion; and means at the bottom aperture of said chamber for circulating the air vertically and laterally through .said chamber and said channel.

6. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with apertured bottom, and a channel beneath and beside said chamber also communicating with its upper portion; means at the bottom aperture of said chamber for circulating the air vertically and laterally through said chamber and said channel; and means for progressing material to be treat/ed lengthwise through said chamber in a series of up and down passes.

'i'. Apparatus of the character described comprising. an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with apertured bottom, and a channel beneath and beside said chamber also communicating with its upper portion; and heating means at the bot-tom opening of said chamber for causing a circulation of the air 'vertically and laterally through said chamber and said channel.

8. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with apertured bottom, a channel beneath and besides said chamber also communicating With its upper portion, and spaces between the ends of said chamber and the corresponding enclosure Walls; means at the bottom aperture of said chamber for circulating the air vertically and laterally through Said chamber and said channel; and means for conveying material to be treated through said through the aforesaid the chamber.

9. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure with partition means forming -a treating chamber therein; partltion means dividing said chamber into compartments; means for circulating air independently in said compartments; and means for conveying material to be treated through said compartments.

10. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided by partition means to afford a treating chamber with spaces between its ends and a corresponding enclosure Walls; transverse partition means dividing said chamber into compartments; means for circulating air independently in said compartmcntsrand means for conveying material to be treated through said compartments also passing through said spaces.

l1. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure; partition means spaced from its bottom and ends to form a treating chamber and passages; a transverse partition dividing the chamber into compartments; and means for circulating the air independently in said compartments, and for heating the air so circulated independently for the different compartments.

12. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure with partition means forming therein a treating chamber open at its top; partition means extending down from the roof of the enclosure and dividing the chamber into compartments; means for circulating the air independently in said compartments; and means for conveying material to be treated through said compartments in a course passing under said chamber also passing spaces at the ends of partition means and over the chamber walls that extend in the same direction as tition.

13. Apparatus of the 'character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a plurality of treating compartments with auxiliary spaces beside them; independent mea-ns for circulating air between compartments and corresponding auxiliary spaces; and means for conveying material to be treated through said compartments.

14. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a plurality of treating compartments with apertured bottoms, and channels beneath and beside said compartments also communicating with their upper portions; and independent means for circulating air vertically and laterally through the compartments and channels.

l5. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to at'- ford a plurality of treating compartments with auxiliary spaces at their sides; means the parof the air laterally of the enclosure in divided circuits through the chamber and over courses completed by the side. channels and the horizontal connecting channel.

17. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a plurality of treating compartments with auxiliary spaces at their sides communicating with them at top and bottom; means for conveying articles to be treated through said compartments in a. sinuous course; and separate means for circulating the air laterally of the enclosure, between the different compartments and said auxiliary spaces in divided circuits.

18. Apparatus of the'character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a plurality of treating compartments with auxiliary spaces at their sides; means for conveying articles to be treated through said compartments in a series of ,up and down passes; and means for circulating air laterally of the enclosure, between said compartments Iand said auxiliary spaces in divided circuits, in opposite directions in different compartments. i

19. Apparatus of the character described, comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a. conditioning compartment, with huniiditying means, a drying compartment, with heating means; and auxiliary spaces at op' posite sides of said compartments; means coils automaticall for conveying articles to be treated through said compartments in a sinuous course; and separate means for circulating the air laterally of the enclosure, between the different compartments and'said auxiliary spaces in divided circuits. i l

20. Apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided to afford a treating chamber with a co-extensive auxiliary channel at either side thereof, and a horizontal channel connecting the side channels;a conveyor traversing a circuitous course Within the enclosure; and a horizonta-l bank of heating coils effecting subdivision between the treating 4chamber and the horizontal channel; the heat evolved by said causing circulation of the air laterally o the enclosure, in divided circuits through the chamber and over courses completed by the side channels and the horizontal connecting channel.

21. An apparatus of the character described comprising an enclosure subdivided into a treating chamber, a channel at each side of and co-extensive with said chamber; a horizontal channel connecting 'the4 side channels, and vertical end channels accessible from the exterior through openings in the walls of the enclosure; in combination with a conveyor traversing a circuitous course Within the chamber, and diverted to pass through the end channels for loading and unloading purposes; and means for causing circulation of the air laterally of the enclosure, in divided circuits, through the chamber and over courses completed by the side channels andthe horizontal connecting channel.

In testimony whereof, We have hereunto signed our names at Philadelphia,,Pennsylvania, this 14th day of November, 1919.

THOMAS ALLSOP. v WALTER W. SIBSON.

Witnesses:

JAMES H. BELL, E. L. FULLERTON. 

